History of Hollywood's Irreconcilable Firearm Regulation Fascination
In the world of cinema, guns have long been a staple, serving as critical tools for heroes in various genres - from Westerns to police dramas, war films, action-adventure movies, sci-fi flicks, and more. This enduring relationship between Hollywood and firearms is on full display at the NRA National Firearms Museum, which boasts a dedicated "Hollywood Guns" section.
One of the most iconic guns in film history is the Beretta 92F S, famously wielded by Mel Gibson's characters Sgt. Martin Riggs in Lethal Weapon (1987) and John McClane in Die Hard (1988). Another notable firearm is the Winchester '73, made famous by Jimmy Stewart's character in the 1950 film Winchester '73 and also featured in the television series The Rifleman (1958-1963).
Notable actors like Keanu Reeves, who plays John Wick, have had their characters misrepresented as anti-gun. In reality, Reeves' character is not anti-gun, a fact that is evident in the various firearms he uses throughout the series.
The 12-gauge Remington 11-87 shotgun, featured in No Country for Old Men (2007), is another standout firearm in cinema history. Clint Eastwood, a cinematic icon, has also had his fair share of iconic firearms. His character Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry (1971) carried a Smith & Wesson Model 29 in .44 Mag., while in Gran Torino (2008), Eastwood's character Walt Kowalski used an M1 Garand in .30-06.
More recent filmmakers like Katie Bird and Cody Johnson have been producing projects that offer an honest portrayal of American gun culture without imposing an anti-gun political stance. Instead, they focus on character-driven narratives, such as Dean Cain's pro-Second Amendment film from JCFilms Studios.
However, Hollywood has often been criticized for its anti-Second Amendment politics, with many films and TV dramas featuring anti-gun political messaging. This is not ignored but is seen as problematic, such as the use of a Nock Volley Gun in the 1960 version of The Alamo or the Colt Frontier revolver in .44-40 used by Wayne in Rio Lobo (1970).
Filmmakers like Taylor Sheridan, known for his honest approach to American gun culture, have bucked this trend. In We Were Soldiers (2002), for example, the full-auto Colt M16 in 5.56 mm N A T O was used, while the Cimarron Schofield Model 3 in .45 cal. was showcased in the 2007 version of 3:10 to Yuma.
The NRA National Firearms Museum's Hollywood Guns section is a testament to the enduring relationship between cinema and firearms. From John Wayne's large-loop-lever Winchester Model 1892 in .44-40 Win. in Hondo (1953) and Big Jake (1971) to the .45-cal. Italian Plains Rifle and the .56-cal. American Custom Longrifle, the museum's collection is a treasure trove for any film and firearms enthusiast.
While there can be a cathartic pleasure in criticizing Hollywood actors, writers, and producers who ignorantly attack the Second Amendment, it's important to remember that cinema, like firearms, can serve many purposes - from entertainment to education and reflection. And in the case of Hollywood's enduring love affair with guns, it's a relationship that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
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